Help with distractions and ADHD?

I am a 15 year old Freshman in high school. I have a very hard time getting myself to work and I find it extremely hard to focus on any tasks for a substantial amount of time. I have been diagnosed with ADHD and not just the BS that most kids think they have. I feel hopeless sometimes because I want to get work done but can't force myself to do it. I don't take any medication. My question to all of you is whether medication is a good idea, if there are any other ways to help, and if anyone else feels like this.

Based on the kids I've worked with (been teaching/tutoring special needs kids professionally for 2 years now and for several years before that as a volunteer) that I've seen pre- and post-medication, as well as my experience with my SO (ADD), I'd say that medication absolutely helps. It can be difficult to get the dosage correct, and require several adjustments, but with medication AND behavior modification (I wouldn't advocate for medication alone, guess I should have mentioned that before, sorry) I've seen drastic changes in the kids' quality of life. They're calmer, more focused, and feel more in control of their choices and their lives.

I'm not a doctor, though, so keep in mind that my advice is based off of what I've experienced with kids of varying ages and need levels, and not on medical evidence. Only a doctor or a psychologist can tell you if medication is really right for you. Hope that helps!

there's some recent research that studied this exact question, and there isn't anything conclusive just yet. You can definitely seem more "medicated" if your prescription is too high or with certain drugs, which sometimes happens. I had those problems with Adderall, but I don't with Vyvanse. If you have problems being fidgety and interrupting people a lot, intuniv (which is non-narcotic) can help on top of the Vyvanse.

The most important thing is to get a doctor that will provide you with behavioral coping strategies as well as medication options.

Try to avoid meds if at all possible. For one, they won't teach you to cope with it. And for two, Once you start taking them, it will be harder to go about your life without having them. We're an over medicated society anyway.

I presume there are fun exercises you can try to assist you- like what they do with adhd kids. Videogames or memory games or something.

ignore this advice, and think of it like needing eyeglasses. you just need a little assistance to get along in the world. ADHD is a real condition based on specific neurological functions, and most of the drugs that are out there won't make it harder to go without them. This person does not know what they are talking about.

that's not what you said. you made arguments that he would actually be better off without it, which is without any basis beyond your own ideological bias. It also means you have no concept of how frustrating it can be to have ADHD, or any other number of psychological conditions that people take medication for that don't necessarily "endanger" them.